Friday 28th March

Friday, 28 March 2025 at 06:00

By Steve Haigh

First Bus has invested £12 million in buying 26 electric buses to run on routes in Somerset. Approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society...and more.

A fleet of new electric buses will soon start running on Somerset roads. First Bus has bought 26 of the zero-emission vehicles at a cost of £12 million, £2 million of which has been provided by the government. The electric buses will run on all routes in Somerset, including in Yeovil.

Organisers of this weekend’s Yeovil Half Marathon are reminding runners of a change to the start line. In previous years, the race has started outside the library in South Street. This year it will start on the High Street, outside Superdrug. Around 1400 people have so far registered to compete in Sunday’s Yeovil half-marathon.

People in Yeovil are being asked to have their say on plans to extend dog control measures in Ninesprings Country Park..The measures, which include a dog exclusion zone as well as making owners keep their animals on leads, expire in June. Somerset Council wants to extend the protection orders by three years and has started a public consultation that runs until the 5th May.

Somerset’s recycling sites, including Yeovil, will revert to their spring opening times next week. From Tuesday, April 1st, all of Somerset’s 16 recycling sites will open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, and 9 am to 4 pm at weekends.

Final approval has been given to build 18 new homes in South Petherton. The houses will be built off Lampreys Lane by Acorn Homes of Taunton. The application, that’s been on hold for five years, was approved at a meeting of Somerset Council’s Area South Planning Committee after the developer agreed to additional phosphate mitigation on the site.

This year’s Somerset Drama Festival has been won by Ilminster Entertainments Society with their production of My Best Friend. The festival, featuring nine groups performing 10 plays, was held at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster.

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Thursday 29th October

A Yeovil man has been detained under the Mental Health Act for attacking his mother with a knife. People in Chard are being reminded that it’s unlawful to attach flags to lamp posts and street furniture. Wincanton Racecourse has called off its 'Badger Chase Day' because the ground is too firm... and more
Wednesday 28th October

Leweston School near Sherborne has announced that it is closing with immediate effect. NHS Somerset could merge with neighbours in Bath and North-East Somerset and Dorset to cut costs. Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant has launched a campaign to get more people nominated for national honours... and more
Tuesday 27th October

Work has started building a new six-million-pound flood defence scheme in Taunton. Plans have been submitted to build a new church hall in Martock. People are being asked to donate gifts to this year’s Chard Christmas Present Appeal... and more
Monday 26th October

Eligible groups in Somerset are being encouraged to get their flu jabs. There’s a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look inside Avon & Somerset Police’s control room. Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, has visited Yeovil... and more.
Friday 23rd October

Somerset is the 11th most challenging place in England to be a child according to a report. Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire could have its own elected ‘Wessex Mayor’ by 2028. Cricketer, Ian Botham returns to the county this weekend... and more.
Thursday 22nd October

The NFU says that testing for the virus Bluetongue needs to be sped up. Construction of new flats on Yeovil’s Grimsby Corner site will officially begin next year. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind tomorrow... and more.
Wednesday 21st October

The owner of campsite in Somerset says a two-thousand-seven-hundred percent increase in business rates will be 'catastrophic' for his business. Plans to build nearly 300 new homes on the outskirts of Chard have been given the go ahead. Yeovil Town are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Leatherhead 5-2 at Huish Park last night... and more